Carlson, another ranch worker, tells Candy he should get rid of his dog because it's old and smells. In the novella Steinbeck romanticizes and idealizes male friendships. When Curley's wife enters and threatens to accuse Crooks of rape, his hope quickly dwindles. Jesus Christ, youre a crazy bastard! I forgot, Lennie said softly. WebDiscrimination plays a large role to feeling lonely. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Chapter 1- The audience is introduced to George and Lennie, two migrant workers on their way to a job at a new ranch. The two men travel together throughout the Salinas Valley of California to find steady work. In the novel Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck, many characters are unfairly oppressed. Most of the characters in Of Mice and Men reflect racism. Nobody cant blame a person for lookin, she said. Crooks recalls how as a child his father didnt like him playing with white kids. Discrimination plays a large role to feeling lonely. An he was dead (Steinbeck 87). I wisht wed get the rabbits pretty soon, George. She threatens him and says she can accuse him of raping her. Though a big man, Lennie is like a child. Lennie continuously gets into trouble because he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Lennie is the perfect target of discrimination throughout the entire book. I know there aint. The names she calls Crook, Candy, and Lennie represent her prejudice towards blacks, the elderly, and people with disabilities. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. (4.76-77), Prejudice works both ways: Crooks may be isolated because of his skin color, but the white guys might also be missing out on a good friend. Steinbeck shows the realities of the time and the struggle characters face through discrimination. | Contact Us She looked at her fingers. Achieving The American Dream is a great desire for all but rarely does it ever come true (website). When George washes his face, Lennie mimics him exactly. Crooks is discriminated against because he is the only black man on the ranch. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. George and Lennie. WebTop Lennie Being Discriminated Against Quotes Just remember, someday you might be asking for forgiveness. She turned her head. Discrimination plays a big role in Of Mice and Men, since it takes place during the Great Depression. She has experience teaching in both a private and public education setting, in addition to almost three years experience teaching in a completely digital environment. Once George and Lennie settle in the bunkhouse, they meet others living and working on the ranch. Just like Candys dog can be replaced by a new, young pup, Candy can be replaced by a younger, stronger, and more capable worker. Another major theme is male friendship. He doesnt even remember the wrong he did in Weed, where he was accused of raping a girl after feeling her dress and not letting go. The author shows oppression of the characters through their effect on others, actions, and their dialogue. Books aint no good. With the conditions old people faced it meant it was much tougher for them people to get jobs. His calm eyes followed Lennie out of the door. We might, he said. "Yes sir. "[The boss gave] the stable buck hell?" The small man stepped nervously beside him. After hearing the gunshot, the men find him and head back to the ranch. The guys wouldnt let him use his feet, so the n***** got him. This highlights the lack of understanding people had for those with a mentality disability like Lennie. So it don't mean nothing, see?" Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3. "(Steinbeck 24). But they wont do nothing like that. Lennie is jes like a kid. But Curley's wife doesn't feel any solidarity with Crooks: she just sees him as the one guy she can pick on instead of try to pick up. She closed on him. Furthermore this shows my point,George lay where he was and whistled softly to himself.There were sounds of splashing down the river in direction Lennie had taken. George also contributes to accusing Curleys wife of being a tart, by stating, In this quotation, George is warning Lennie to stay away from her. White, excellently states what the novel, Of Mice and Men, is trying to clearly state. "They'll take ya to the booby hatch. In the novel, we are able to see the strength that Lennie has and how he is not able to control it when Steinbeck talks about how Lennie killed the mouse, the puppy, Curleys wife and crushed Curleys hand. What this means is that people are not truth to themselves so they have to reform in bullying and discriminating each other. he asked. But Slim understands Lennies fate and that there will be no trial or mercy or for Lennie. Lennie is often excluded from nights out or things the other men are doing. Curley is a small man who constantly tries to show off and act tough. Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Of Mice and Men: Literary & Historical Context, Dreams in of Mice and Men: Examples & Quotes, Praxis English Language Arts - Content & Analysis (5039): Practice & Study Guide, NYSTCE English Language Arts (003): Practice and Study Guide, George Milton in Of Mice and Men: Description & Quotes, Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men: Description & Quotes, Slim in Of Mice and Men: Description & Quotes, Carlson in Of Mice and Men: Description & Quotes, Who is Candy in Of Mice and Men? John Steinbeck portrays the intolerance and bigotry of 1930s America through the separation of his characters based on their handicaps. Done pretty good, too. Lennie is allowed to enter Crooks' room due to the similarity of their circumstances. The men at the ranch all believe that she tries to seduce them and then the boss would fire them. They'll tie ya up with a collar, like a dog." Slim is another migrant worker who acts as a voice of reason in the surrounding injustice. Candy eventually makes his way into the room. The three are startled to see Curley's wife standing in the doorway. Another case of intolerance in the book is when Curly goes against Lennie because of he is size and stature in this age and time it is called bullying and is extremely, Want me to tell ya whatll happen? Save everbody a hell of a lot of trouble., Lennie cried out suddenly I don like this place, George. Hes nuts, Slim. And Crooks said, Sure. There were footsteps behind her, going by. George repeatedly rants about how his life would be better without Lennie, he might even have a girl. George always knew that Lennie never did anything bad out of meanness and that is why he His language reveals the sexist between Curleys wife and the men on the ranch. Some examples of discrimination involve Curley's wife. Of Mice and Men Prejudice and Racism Quotes. He would be confined to a psychiatric hospital, where he would suffer cruel and degrading treatments. Sometimes he gets thinkin, an he got nothing to tell him whats so an what aint so. Each of these characters are migrant workers during the Great Depression who are discriminated against in different ways. He tried to get her to be quiet and he shook her; and her body flopped like a fish. One way more than the other but everyone has to do things and deal with things that they dont want to do. An error occurred trying to load this video. These are all examples from the characters of discrimination both in Of Mice and Men and real life. Crooks was a victim of the most common part of discrimination; racism. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. This speaks to the racial divide then in America. George says with disdain after first meeting Curley?s wife, the newly married young woman living on the ranch. Lennie watched them go. Curleys wife is only allowed to talk to Curley and always feels lonely because of it. George acts like a parent to Lennie, who looks up to him as a role model. She is just lonely, however, she chose to live like that to try to get away from her problems The last example of discrimination is from Crooks. Lennie, Curleys wife, and Crooks are all misunderstood and discriminated against because of it. (2.22), Yikes. The next punch Curley threw, Lennie caught it and squeezed Curley's hand. He gives the men power over him by being overly careful in what he does and says, because if he gets thrown out from the ranch, no one would take him. You know what I can do if you open your trap? There is also Curleys wife who represents discrimination of gender. Candy refuses, but Carlson persists. Lennie cant fathom racial prejudice. Weve already seen he doesnt have a lot of the societal niceties down (like when to pet girls and when not to pet girls), but its actually pretty interesting that Lennie doesnt think of Crooks as being different from himself. But should George, who keeps dragging Lennie around with him, have taken some action before the big guy wound up killing someone? Lennie didnt let go of her dress only because the womans screaming frightened him. Satiday night. You leave her be., He dont give nobody else a chance to win., George said, Shes gonna make a mess. WebA lot of characters are discriminated against in Of Mice and Men but prove it wrong in the end. 4 | Summary & Themes, Dreams in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Overview, Quotes & Significance, Conflict in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Types & Analysis, Lennie & George's Relationship in Of Mice and Men, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Ch. Its dreams to be sheltered and comfortable through the winter is eventually destroyed by a ploughman, leaving the mouse nothing but 'grief and pain'. Another example of discrimination is against Curleys wife. She is often described as a tart or far worse to emphasize the little respect women received during this time. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Crooks suggests to Lennie that if George doesnt come back from town life would be catastrophic for Lennie. He [Curley] stood crying, his fist lost is Lennies paw 2023 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse. Curley's wife enters the barn, and Crooks quickly persuades her to leave. Michael Meyer points out, the hardship for a woman to live on the ranch as presented in the novel should not be ignored. Theyll take ya to the booby hatch. An what am I doin? Sure. This is shown when Curleys wife shuts him down in a conversation, Listen nigger. Candy, the one handed housekeeper, is only allowed to live at the ranch as a compensation, because the loss of his hand occurred there. By continuing well assume you ", "Yeah. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. "You know what I can do to you if you open your trap? He also senses trouble ahead, as she is the only woman there. WebLennie dimly understands that something is wrong with him, and that's exactly why he wants rabbits, because "they ain't so little" (1.79). Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. George extols the virtues of friendship to Lenny, explaining that they are not like everyone else that work in their profession because they travel together. Lennie is a guy who is often misjudged by his size in Of Mice and Men. I aint takin it away jus for meanness. One evening, George and Lennie discuss plans to buy their ranch. Slim had not moved. The two men develop relationships with the other ranch workers while battling the arrogant attitude of Curley. I wasnt doin nothing bad with it, George. George to Lennie. They dont belong no placeWith us it aint like that. In of Mice and Men the main characters have different levels of struggles. Segregation was used throughout the country as a racial divide, which is why Crooks lives alone in the barn. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. Maybe if he sees somethin, he dont know whether its right or not. The woman misunderstood this action and accused him of rape. Throughout the novel, these three characters face many hardships because they are harshly judged and often misunderstood. But childlike Lennie is so innocent, he doesnt even get mad. In these two articles, one titled Of Mice and Men, Masterplots, Fourth Edition, by Angela D. Hickey and the other titled Of Mice and Men, Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series, Supplement, by Lynn C. Munro, the authors explain the way John Steinbeck wrote about prejudice. Go on, George! (2.15-17). He confesses that he accidentally killed his puppy and that George will be mad. Lastly, Lennie is mentally handicap so he discriminated against because of that. Curleys wife is often misunderstood similar to Lennie. Steinbeck shows how easily someone was discriminated against in the 1930s. Below are several quotes which reflect the racism on the ranch. Jesus, he said. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. (4.39). That ranch were goin to is right down there about a quarter mile. But he doesnt know his own strength and when he pets mice usually ends up killing them. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. (We will point out that he doesn't ever use Crooks' name, however. Many people just misunderstand Lennie and judge him right away. Steinbeck chooses not to provide a name for Curley's wife to show the little respect given to women. Nevertheless, she uses her sexuality to gain power over them, allowing her to earn some respect. Youre a nice guy. Slim is the only character who shows respect for Crooks. As stated in the book, (Steinbeck 28) Candy is one of the many men who have judged her based on what they think they have seen. Lennie tells George about his dream of having rabbits. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Candy is a worker on the farm who is both old and disabled, missing a hand and acknowledges his disadvantage by saying, I aint good with ony one handtheyll can me purty soon. After becoming sad the audience would start to see how bad Candy is treated because of his age and understand how the discrimination was. Everbody out doin sompin. Curleys wife, on the other hand, is not insecure, but suffers from ostracism and isolation because she is a married woman. This passage highlights the need for companionship and the oppressive nature of society for Crooks, who faces both loneliness and discrimination. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2, Candy and George. After quite a bit of pressuring, at last Candy said sotly and hopelessly, Awright--take im (47). He pulled his hat down a little more over his eyes, the way Georges hat was. Most of the ranch workers display their feelings of racism against the only black worker, Crooks. WebLennie's lack of understanding allows Crooks to wield power over him, which he is evidently enjoying. They let the n***** come in that night. | 2 He tells the guys a story of how one Christmas, a ranch worker beat up Crooks to entertain the other guys. Whatd you take outa that pocket? Aint a thing in my pocket, Lennie said cleverly. WebAs Crooks explains, his hope of fitting in is not possible, but it remains his greatest hope. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. In conclusion, Steinbeck is trying to show us that women werent treated fairly either. Dont make no difference who the guy is, longs hes with you. I was only foolin, George. This aint no good place. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Crooks became very bitter and lonely in this story because of his discrimination/segregation from everybody else. If we can get jus a few dollars in the poke well shove off and go up the American River and pan gold. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Candy overhears the conversation and promises to give them all his earnings if they let him join them. Steinbeck provides a glimpse of the racial elements during the 1930s through character descriptions, actions, and dialogue. The situation shows how Crooks is not respected as a man and is used as a spectacle for entertainment. This quotation suggests that prejudice is the symbol of ignorance, for men to either recognize or ignore the judgements they hold against others. Of Mice and Men is a novella by John Steinbeck in 1937. Intolerance is many forms in the book, such as Crooks being beaten up at the Christmas party due to his skin color or Crooks being separated as if he has the plague unlike now which it is not socially acceptable we celebrate this form of equality with things like February being Black History Month. Steinbeck purposely does not give her a name to show the little value of a woman's worth. Whatta ya think I am, a kid? While the men are playing cards, they are interrupted by Curley looking for his wife. An you aint gonna do no bad things like you done in Weed, neither. Lennie looked puzzled. I might of knew, he said gently. Cause Im black. Lennie, who had been watching, imitated George exactly. I didnt forget that, you bet., God, youre a lot of trouble, said George. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. They also meet other people that have to overcome their own setbacks. George is already concerned that Curley's wife will be an issue. Curley treats his wife like a possession. This's the first time I ever been in his room. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. But while Lennie may annoy him sometimes George needs him and doesnt want to be without him. Go onGeorge. There aint no more harm in him than a kid neither, except hes so strong. Although the 1930s seems pretty far back, discrimination still occurs in society today and can either be intentional or nonintentional. The two begin talking, and she tells Lennie that Curley is not a good husband. She also holds a Master of Arts in English literature from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, and a BA in English from Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee. Chapter 4- All the ranch workers have gone into town, and Lennie is left in the barn with his puppy. You drink some, George. We can make maybe a couple of dollars a day there, and we might hit a pocket. Lennie leaned eagerly toward him. He tells George that he does not have any relatives, so he would be able to give all of his money to him and Lennie. George knew what had happened and understood, but in the end decided to kill him painlessly to protect him. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. He is happy when george takes a drink. After he. Lennie was worried after he killed the puppy because he thought George wasnt going to let him tend to the rabbits when they bought the farm. He knows Lennie lacks self-control and understanding of his actions. But he's still pinching their heads, and he's still basically torturing the animals that he's supposed to be looking after. WebOf Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Seems like Curley is cockiern ever since he got married. George grunted. A guy needs somebody to be near him. John Steinbeck has written 27 books and I have only read one, Of Mice and Men. He looked across the fire at Lennies anguished face, and then he looked ashamedly at the flames. During this time in America people were panning gold, and doing anything for just a little bit of cash.
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